At a press conference in the Kaufman home outside of Mt. Pleasant, Jackie O. the cat rested and kept a low profile while media spoke to her coaches Ginger and Jason Kaufman about Jackie’s training regime during the March Pet Madness competition.

“She does some sprints each night, across the length of the house, around a circle in kitchen and dining room. She does her late night workouts and practices her vertical jumps. She has a 6 foot vertical and can get on top of the fridge. She’s very athletic,” said the Kaufmans.

“She has superior athleticism for her size; she’s pretty small for a cat,” said the Kaufmans. “She has a trim figure. Small but mighty.”

Jackie’s diet during training, and every day, was set by her team doctor - Dr. Catherine Lindstrand of the Isabella Cat Clinic in Mt. Pleasant. “She eats a grain-free diet. It’s better for cats in general,” said Ginger Kaufman.

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Jackie O’s coaches say her story is one of hope. “A Cinderella story,” said Jason Kaufman.

“She’s had four surgeries, I looked it up and it was actually four. She had a nerve sheath tumor, on her front right arm; apparently it’s rare in cats. She had four surgeries in 15 months and has been cancer-free for just over a year now,” said Ginger Kaufman.

“She’s had some battle scars in her life, especially on her shooting hand. She’s right handed so she’s had to learn to dribble to the left a little bit. She’s left some battled-wounded competitors behind her; I think she wounded some egos,” said Jason Kaufman.

According to her Facebook page, Jackie O. is an “adorable tabby who delights in being fabulous.” She doesn’t reveal her weight and, and after some questioning, reluctantly let it be known she is 10 years old. Ginger said a fan of Jackie’s she met during the course of the tournament told her they just found out they had been diagnosed with cancer and that Jackie O. is an inspiration to her to beat the illness.

“This is kind of like a little opportunity for world domination. Not so much for prize, but for world domination,” said Jackie’s coaches. “Everyone loves an underdog even when it’s a cat. I think she has a never-die, never-give-up attitude. She had to come from behind in every round in the bracket.”

“Jackie is like American royalty, just like a real Kennedy. A nouveau-Kennedy - different and better. We are just glad she can inspire the country by beating cancer,” said Ginger Kaufman.

“We have had good family support in the stands. She has a large fan base throughout the world actually. She has fans in Italy. She is an international star,” said Team Kaufman. “Her strategy as a competitor she takes shots early and often. She never passes up a shot.”

Jason Kaufman said he is a very laid-back coach and lets Jackie dictate the pace. “I feel like there is more pressure on us than her,” he said. Co-coach Ginger Kaufman added: “She gets lots of rest. Eats several small meals a day, and might have an evening snack. She gets rewarded with snacks for performance.

“Besides a nap, she gets heating pad treatments in her heated cat bed. She loves bird watching and laser tag, and she likes to play. She has a kick toy to work on her hind leg strength and a hedgehog toy she carries around for weight training. She chases phantom mice, which really helps with agility. The bird watching helps with quick reflexes,” the Kaufmans said.

The Kaufmans said they look forward to cutting down the net after the game to make a hammock for Jackie, and that their cat wouldn’t be opposed to a diamond necklace championship collar, or pearls.

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March Pet Madness feedback may be directed to Holly Mahaffey, Morning Sun Community Engagement Producer, or to or to Lisa Yanick Jonaitis, photographer and Community Engagement Editor at the Morning Sun. Holly may be reached at 989-779-6063, hmahaffey@michigannewspapers.com, or follow her on Facebook at facebook.com/holly.mahaffey. Lisa may be reached at 989-779-6066, ljonaitis@michigannewspapers.com or follow her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/lisayanickjonaitis.